Andrew McGlashan presents West Indies’ marks out of ten for their series against England
Andrew McGlashan11-Mar-2009After five years of fruitless contests at home and away, West Indies finally recorded their first series win since they defeated Bangladesh on home soil in 2004. Cricinfo runs its eye over the stars and spares Captain Cool: Chris Gayle knows his own mind, and the team know to follow him•Getty Images9Chris Gayle
Not since Viv Richards has a West Indies captain united the team with such success. Gayle’s laid-back, chilled-out air hasn’t changed, but there is a more responsible style about his game these days. That was clear during his two centuries, especially his 104 in Kingston which was shorn of much of the normal Gayle dash and flair. In the field he isn’t the most proactive of captains and is rarely seen pushing the game hard, particularly when the opposition are on top, but he deserves credit for sticking to his guns. His attitude towards the final Test was negative and sngle-minded, but ultimately justified – if only just.Ramnaresh Sarwan
Found the form of his life and showed the sort of batsmanship everyone has expected from him since his debut aged 19. In his first five innings of the series his lowest score was 94 and he compiled an outstanding career-best 291 in Barbados to grind England into the dirt. He has taken on a new level of responsibility in recent months, perversely since standing down as vice-captain. He remains a figurehead in the team and someone the batting order can build around in the coming years. His two failures in Trinidad showed he was human after all, but this will go down as a defining series.8Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Still a limpet at the crease, but the difference in this series wasthat he had plenty of support so a relatively quiet start didn’tmatter. Was the victim of the most horrendous referral decision inBarbados, when nothing looked like shifting him, before more thanmaking up for it with a crucial 147 not out in Trinidad, which went a long way towards securing the series. That England’s chances of a late victoryrose so much when he was trapped for 6 on the final day showed that heis still the sought-after wicket, but finally there is somecompetition emerging for that tag.Brendan Nash
One of the key figures in West Indies’ resurgence, Nash has taken someof pressure off Chanderpaul in holding the middle order together. HisAustralian grit and determination hasn’t gone amiss in the side andthe century he scored in Trinidad was reward for all the years of hardwork he has put into making himself the best he can be. There isnothing flashy about his play, but it is just what West Indies need tobecome consistently competitive. His bowling is better than your average medium-pacer, but some way short of fourth-seamer material.Denesh Ramdin
Statistically the 166 in Barbados was his key performance of theseries, but in every other way it was his 87-ball 17 in the finalinnings that stood out. Without his calmness West Indies would havewatched the main prize slip away, but he withstood those agonisinglytense final two hours. His century was a breakthrough knock after abarren run with the bat, his keeping was safe and tidy, and thevice-captaincy has brought a mature side to his play that hasn’tpreviously been noticeable. He is one of the major success stories ofthe Dyson-Gayle era.Fidel Edwards
Nine wickets at 54 suggest a pretty ordinary series, but Edwards was the most consistently hostile bowler on either side and the only man to extract regular life out of even the flattest pitches. However, arguably it was with the bat that he proved most vital. In Antigua and Trinidad he survived the closing overs in thrilling draws, the latter securing the series for West Indies. With better catching he would have had more wickets, but a huge plus was that he stayed fit throughout.7Jerome Taylor
He produced the spell that decided the series, but very little thereafter. His 5 for 11 at Sabina Park was thrilling to watch and gave West Indies cricket the boost it desperately needed. Combining pace, late swing and control he proved too much for England’s top order and his deliveries to Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior were among the best you’ll see. After such a high he struggled to hit the same heights again, although like all the bowlers he suffered from the flat surfaces. His batting is valuable at No. 8 where he has been key in strengthening the lower order. Injury ended his series a game early, but he should enjoy bowling during May inEngland.Sulieman Benn
Produced the best match return by a West Indies spinner since 1975when he took 8 for 108 in the first Test, playing an equally crucialpart to Taylor in the victory. He tied the England batsmen down in both innings, impressively holding his nerve in a duel with Pietersento claim him for 97. He didn’t pose the same threat from then on as England showed more intent against him, although it was a harsh callto drop him for the final Test. He is West Indies’ best spin optionfor a long term.5Lendl Simmons
Caught the attention early in the tour with his 282 for West Indies A,but had to wait until the final Test for his chance when he debuted onhis home ground. He was composed in his first innings, taking 24 ballsto open his account, and was promoted up to open in the second afterGayle’s injury. A promising future beckons.4Devon Smith
The problem that has plagued Smith’s stop-start career was evident throughout the series as he regularly threw away his starts and lived down to his average in the mid-20s. He has been given enough chances to show that he isn’t the long-term solution as a partner for Gayle and he will be nervously looking over his shoulder ahead of the tour to England.Daren Powell
It’s a sad indictment of the lack of other pace options around theCaribbean when the selectors persist with a man who averages over 47after 37 Tests. Powell struggled throughout the series and didn’toffer Gayle either penetration or control. In the final innings in Trinidad he wasn’t even used as England chased quick runs. To his credit he admitted hehad problems and was trying to work on them. He gains most of hismarks for his twin batting efforts in Antigua which proved crucial inthe series outcome.Ryan Hinds
Not good enough in either department but was persisted with for three matches. Seeing him as West Indies’ main spinner in the final Test was slightly depressing viewing. Still can’t translate his domestic batting form to the higher level although he played a responsible innings in the Trinidad rearguard before suffering an unfortunate dismissal. There aren’t a huge number of players pushing him for a place.Lionel Baker
An honest seamer, but nothing more than that at the moment. If he bulks out andstrengthens he could add a yard of pace and he will need that to become a genuine threat at the top level. Can probably look forward to somegreen wickets in England in May, though, to stake his claims further.1Xavier Marshall
One innings, a second-ball duck and no more chances, although thatisn’t as harsh as it sounds. He’d had a poor tour of New Zealand andwas on borrowed time. Needs plenty of domestic runs (or maybe some IPLpull-outs from the England tour) to earn his place back.
